Ole to succes

OLE Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted he never thought he would be part of another trophy-hungry Manchester United side. Solskjaer spent virtually three full seasons sidelined with major knee injuries, which even Sir Alex Ferguson did not believe he would ultimately overcome.

OLE Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted he never thought he would be part of another trophy-hungry Manchester United side.

Solskjaer spent virtually three full seasons sidelined with major knee injuries, which even Sir Alex Ferguson did not believe he would ultimately overcome.

Yet, after confirming his fitness during the pre-season tour of South Africa, Solskjaer has made an invaluable contribution to United's Double drive this term.

Eleven goals from the 34-year-old Norwegian represents an impressive contribution in itself but Solskjaer was also around to help take the strain when injuries started to bite deep into Ferguson's squad.

So, with Louis Saha ruled out of Saturday's FA Cup final showdown with Chelsea at Wembley, Solskjaer is set for a place on the United bench, something he could not imagine would become reality in the depth of his injury misery.

"I looked back in my diary recently and I am not too far away from the ambitions I had down for myself," he said.

"I have to be pleased but if I am being honest, I did not believe I could be part of this and play with Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

"This team has so much pace and youth in it, just to be part of it is special for me."

With skipper Gary Neville joining Saha on the sidelines, Solskjaer is one of only three men in the United squad to have featured in an FA Cup final at Wembley.

The other two, Paul Scholes and stand-in captain Ryan Giggs, have been team-mates for so long the bond between them is something that will probably never be broken.

Treasure

"They have all been such a big part of my life and I shall always treasure this period I have been with them as the best part of my life," he said.

Having shared one Treble-winning campaign with Neville, Giggs and Scholes, Solskjaer was disappointed this season's attempt at a repeat ground to a halt against AC Milan at the San Siro.

Still, a fourth United Double would not be a bad way to end the campaign, although Solskjaer is not expecting a goal rush this weekend as England's top two go head to head in the first final since Wembley was re-opened.

"As always against Chelsea, you expect a tight game, with not many goals," he said.

"That tends to be the nature of cup finals but hopefully, there will be an early goal and things will open up.

"There has been a sharpness about us in training this week, so I know we are ready for it.

"To be part of the first FA Cup final at Wembley is fantastic and if that means coming on in the last minute and getting a goal, that would do me."